Sunday, April 19, 2009

pray for poop

Jonah's head is looking much better. Thanks for praying! Keep 'em coming.

Our only problem tonight is sweet boy is very, very constipated. He hasn't pooped since 6:00pm LAST NIGHT. And he's on breast milk (fortified with Similac soy powder). When we were in the hospital, he pooped with almost every feeding. He's on Poly-visol (a multi-vitamin) with iron (EB babies tend to be anemic, so we're being proactive).

Anyway, pray for poop! I'm going to call the pediatrician first thing in the morning. I've looked at some online tips, but don't really feel comfortable doing much of anything til I've cleared it with the doctor. I'll call tomorrow whether or not he poops tonight, but it sure would be great if he would! I know his tummy is KILLING him.

He's still not asleep and hasn't slept in a good while. He's not crying. He just is. Please pray for some poop, and a good ol' night's sleep. He can't be feeling great.

Have you guys ever prayed for poop before?

Also, I didn't mind the SIDS comment at all. It was posed very nicely, and I knew posting the pics it would probably come up. Believe me, it's something I've thought about a lot. It's mainly a warmth thing. He can't wear clothes and doesn't like to be swaddled, so I really don't know what else to do. I don't do stomach for obvious reasons. I don't do back because of acid reflux/spit up reasons. So I lay him on his side and put a blanket up under his arms (arms on the outside), so that if he lifts his arms, he won't lift the blanket up over his face. The BEST thing is the Angel Care monitor we got from Babies R Us which will go off if he hasn't moved (including breathing movements) for 20 seconds. It's the only reason I can sleep at night. Really. I recommend everybody go out and get one. Talk about peace of mind.

Anyway, I said this would be short, so I'll shut-up now. Goodnight.

74 comments:

Rebekah said...

His cheeks are getting so chubby. He gets cuter every time you post pictures. I remember my breast fed babies not pooping for a day or so. My doctor told me that sometimes they just use everything and there isnt anything to come out. I still gave my daughter a glycerine (bad spelling) squeeze up her back end and she still didnt poop till the next day. Anyway, he looks sweet and I am so glad things are going smoothly. I think about sweet Jonah and your family very often. God bless!!

The Burgess Family said...

I have an angel care and LOVE IT!!! Good choice! :0) Praying for poop but also know my daughter was breast feed and our ped said that BF babies can go several days without going. She went at almost every feeding but had times when she didn't go for two or three days and the ped said that was normal... hopefully you will get a loaded diaper soon!!!

the Hot Biscuit :) said...

My 3rd has a tendency towards constipation. When it is bothering him though he is crying and uncomfortable. Could it be possible that he is just going through a growth spurt? My older two would do the same thing.
I pray about everything-- poop, accidents, you name it I pray it!

Anonymous said...

just b/c they don't poop everyday does not mean constipation. constipation is when they are very fussy, have a hard or disteneded tummy, or are trying to push and nothing is coming out. I gave my baby a suppository when she was 10 days old cause she had not pooped in 36 hours, when she was never really constipated. It's easy to worry about little things, but if he is acting fine like nothing is wrong, the he is not constipated.

Anxious AF said...

Awe praying for poop, a weekly occurance in this house. We eventually gave into Miralax, works great!!!!! Hopefully you wont have to use it,but if you do, it works great:)

Laura A said...

Hi Patrice - you are not silly to pray for poop! It's amazing the things you start to pray for once you become a mom. But to echo the other posts, I wouldn't worry too much since he's on breast milk. My (now) 3-yr old was that way - sometimes she would go for almost a week without doing anything and then, well...let's not go there :+)

Anyway, I think it's good for you to check in with the doctor- just in case! Hope you see results soon, and glad his head is better! You're still in my prayers!

Love,
Laura in TX

Krista said...

I don't know if there's a special worry about constipation with EB so I don't feel totally qualified to comment. I've had two babies now though and can tell you that as they grow, their poo schedules change. At first they went every feeding. But my 8 month old only goes once a week and has since he was a few months old. (yeah!!!) I got worried once when it was going on two weeks and everyday he seemed to strain, but the doctor said you don't need to worry with a breastfed baby.

Can he have "tummy time" on your lap or in your arms? I found that position helped to relieve gas pain and such for my babies.

Poor little guy. I'll pray for poop! And yes, I've prayed for poop before and I'm happy to pray for poop again! :)

Rachaellh said...

A easy way to aid in Jonah's poop problem is for you to add apple juice to your diet for the day. You have to drink at least one big glass but two is better to get the wheels in motion. It has really helped both of my kids out when I nursed them. Keep up the great work with Jonah. I love seeing his beautiful face and will pray for a good poopy diaper tomorrow!

Nancy said...

Prayin' for poop in PA!!!

Casie Creech said...

Yes, I've prayed for poop when my own son, Jack was constipated. I'll do it again for you in a heartbeat! This happened to him a few times and then he'd have one BIG poop. I was also told the same thing as a few of the other posters--breastfed babies can go a few days without going occasionally for no reason, even if they were very regular before. I used to worry that his belly was hurting, but he never really acted like it. There are lots of things to try, but I didn't want to do any of them on Jack, so I don't blame you a bit for waiting to talk to the Dr. Ok, off to bed to pray for poop and fast healing of Jonah's head. (I like specifics as well; God may be detail-oriented like me! :) Love from Winterville, NC.

whit said...

Baby Jonah is such a beautiful baby. I check daily for updates and your prayer needs. God is using your story to touch so many people.

Question: Have you thought about using the infant gowns? They worked really well for our son, who had to have parts of his body wrapped due to some skin issues.

Sugarplum Garters said...

praying for poop in washington! and yep, i've prayed for it before ~ constipation at any age is the worst!

i've been out of town and away from my computer for a few days, and it was great to come back and see new pictures of jonah. i am always so amazed at how peaceful and content he looks in his pictures. and he's so adorable!

Jo said...

Praying for poop in your house and ours! (My five month old is very fussy and no poops since yesterday so I feel your pain...)

:D

amy said...

my son was born extremely early and at one point was very critical and heading into kidney failure and we sent out a request for prayer for pee! so praying for body fluids seems totally normal to me! prayers for all of you...

the-mommy-person said...

Yes, I have prayed for poop and will again. :) God bless you mommy and daddy and God bless sweet Jonah.

Stacie said...

i don't know if rectal temperatures are safe for him with his eb, but if you can, taking one (or using the thermometer without actually taking his temp) works well to provide rectal stimulation to get the poop coming....

Rose said...

Praying for poop in Florida!

Our family page said...

You are so cute! missy

Its So Very Cheri said...

Lots of good comments. My little girl, as a newborn was pooping at every feeding and all of a sudden in one day went to one poop a day. I was so worried but it was just her schedule changing.

I don't know if you can do this with Noah but my Dr always told us, if you lube up a rectal thermometer with KY Jelly and just start to probe him down there, if they need to go that will get things started.
Praying for poop in Florida.

Jasmine said...

Dear Patrice, I just wanted to say "hi" because I have been reading your blog since the day after Jonah was born. I think about him everyday and am so happy that he is doing as well as he can be and that he has such an amazing mother as you. I have a 15 month old son and cannot even imagine going through what your family has - I'm sure it is so much to handle. I'll keep praying for him! Jasmine

Anonymous said...

My 4 year old daughter has had severe constipation issues since she was 1, so yes, I have prayed for poop many times!

I don't understand your son's illness, so I could be wrong about this, but I don't think 1 day would qualify as constipated. Our daughter has gone as long as a week (yes, a week...and yes, it was awful). My 4 month old son (breastfed) will sometimes go over 24 hours without pooping also. I think their schedule changes as they grow.

Constipated or not, I'm praying for your baby. God bless!

Angela said...

Babies don't poop as often as they get older, even breastfed ones. By 2 months all 3 of mine were only pooping twice a day if that. And if Jonah does indeed have reflux, his entire digestive is probably immature which means things move more slowly and he will be prone to constipation once he starts solids(at least that's what our GI specialist told me). Try not too worry too much. But prayers for poop are on my to-do list.

amber said...

Oh, the things mom's and dad's pray for! =) We've all prayed for this kind of thing! So I'll be praying for sweet baby Jonah!

The Rigelsky Family said...

when our daughter was a baby and got constipated, the doctor said to give her a spoonful of molasses or karo syrup...we did...it worked :) maybe try it

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

M&P, You probably don't remember, but we had TERRIBLE constipation issues with Jake from the time he was just s couple of weeks old. The rice we had to add to his formula was chock-full of iron, and it really stopped him up. We tried suppositories and the thermometer thing (which people have mentioned), but in the end the Miralax was the only thing that worked. I'm not sure how you can get the Miralax in him, since you're nursing. I'm sure your ped will have some suggestions, but I know how painful it can be for Jonah AND for you to have to watch. We will be praying for you, as always!

Also, I mailed the announcements Friday via Priority Mail. Hopefully you'll get them by Tuesday. Love to all!

momma J said...

I have the same monitoring system!! I love it, it actually went off several times for us, once it was the real deal. I rubbed her chest and she was alright!! Yeah for technology.

Michelle said...

if you want him to sleep on his side, Babies R Us usually has these things that help keep the baby on their side safely. my stepsister used one for both her kids and it worked great... plus they're really soft so it might work for Jonah and i think it was relatively cheap.

- michelle

Mommynurse said...

I have to agree with some of the above comments. It's strange when your baby goes from having a poop between every feeding to once every few days. If he is fussy and inconsolable, he may be constipated, but if he's happy and his normal self, chances are he is just using up every bit of milk. It is always good to touch base with your doc though. I look forward to hearing what they say. I pray for you everyday. Grace Grace my friend!

Anonymous said...

A couple sips of prune juice will get things moving again. Unfortunately it's only sold in grown-up size bottles, but you can use the rest to make prune juice ice cubes, store them in a ziploc bag, and thaw as future needs dictate.

riss said...

Hello, I just wanted to let you know that my daughters ped said breastfed babies can go up TEN days without poopin! its just because it digests so easily..btw jonah is the CUTEST,SWEETEST baby boy ever!!!! =)

Diva Mamma said...

Praying for Poop for your sweet baby! God tells us to be specific in our prayers so here we go. :o)

Penny said...

poopey prayers coming your way. Goad I checked in tonight before I turned in...... I like to be able to give God the specifics.... not that he doesn't know anyway but I still like to be able to pray with detail..........

teacheroftwos said...

Just wanted to give you a little reassurance. I have heard stories of BF babies that have not pooped for 13 days. It is completely normal for them to go this long I guess, something about the breastmilk being absorbed and the body using it all so there is nothing ot waste. Although it sounds crazy to me. My little guy went 6 days once, but I will pray for poop! LOL!

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear that the blisters are better!! Thank you Lord!!
As far as comments on Jonah not pooping since last evening, I asked my husband, who is a pediatrician, his opinion and he said that there is a difference between constipation and infrequency of poops. True constipation is when the poop is of hard consistency (little balls of hard poop) and tough to get out. Infrequency is when the poops are normal consistency but become infrequent. That can happen at any time in a breastfed infant, even with iron supplements. He would not try the Miralax at this point, but he uses it with great success in truly tried cases of hard constipation. If you are concerned and he seems very uncomfortable he said that you could gently try the rectal stimulation with the end of a rectal thermometer, or a small bit of glycerin suppository to just get things stimulated to see if the poop is hard or just infrequent. If just infrequent, it is not a problem. But of course see what your pediatrician says who knows and cares for sweet Jonah! Let us know how he is doing!!
Blessings to you all!
Luann in WA

Cathi said...

Hi there! I've been a silent reader of your blog and felt the need to comment on your last post. Please don't let anyone worry you about SIDS because he's sleeping on his side. All of my 4 babies were side sleepers. They hated sleeping on their backs, and I just never put them on their tummies. I think of Jonah every day, and I love every beautiful photo you post of him.. he is just way too precious for words :D

Corby and Lauren said...

Funny you should ask if anyone has ever prayed for poop... I had my little girl in March, brought her home, and she didn't poop for 2 days. So yes, I have prayed for poop! It ended up not being a big deal and the doctor said it was normal. However, being the new mom that I am, we made a doctor's appointment and proving that she was in control, she waited until 15 minutes before her appointment to finally poop! I've never had such excitement over it... pretty funny!

Praying that Jonah poops and feels that relief soon!

Anonymous said...

Hi there! Have been reading your blog for about a month now from Adelaide Australia :)

I am a VERY keen breastfeeder, I breastfed twins and am still feeding my 15 month old. When I read your comment about praying for poop (or just plain ol' poo as we call it in Oz!) my immediate thoughts were that not pooing for even up to a week is NORMAL in breastfed babies.

This is my favourite breastfeeding internet resource:

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/bf-links-concerns.html#poop

And here's an article linked from kellymom that talks about this topic specifically
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/normal.htm#NormalStools

I hope that helps to alleviate any concerns.

All the best :)
Heather

Anonymous said...

Is he acting like he's trying to push a poop out? Like it hurts him because he can't, or he's miserable? If not, I'd be inclined to say it's just normal. Babies changing their poop habits just like *that* all the time and some go days without going. Not a fun diaper change for mom when they finally do go :). Unless there's something specific to EB and pooping I don't know about, I would say he might just be changing things up!

Katie said...

I think being worried/excited about poop is one of those things that makes you an "official" member of the parenting world. I posted this on my blog when Rory was just a few days old: http://mcanallycircus.blogspot.com/2007/08/joys-of-poo.html

Our kids are going to hate us for talking about their bowels on the internet. Oops. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Patrice...its Nicole Laster. Laura was in the NICU with Jonah and they share a b-day! I too am breast feeding and supplementing with formula. The no pooping issue has come up in my home as well! Laura's doctor said it was completly normal if she didn't poop...even as long as 7-14 days!!! It just means that their little bodies are absorbibg all the nutrients. If little Jonah is constipated you will know! Anyway, hope that helps? Plus I guess its nice to know that someone else prayed for poop! Always thinking about you and your family.
Nicole, Scott, and Laura Lane Laster

Mandi said...

I knew you were going to get SIDS comments with those pictures too, but I just wanted to say I think you're doing a fantastic job! It sounds like you've weighed all of the risks and chosen the best option for your family, and I agree that the Angel Care Monitor gives so much peace of mind!

Praying for continued healing for your little boy!

Linda said...

Why don't you try a few drops of olive oil in his bottle with every 2nd feed?

Linda

Anonymous said...

We have two children with major constipation issues and have prayed for poop more times than I can remember. All the Bible studies we have been in pray for our kids to poop as well.
Our son is three months old and started with the constipation at about two weeks. He has had to take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of carp syrup in a bottle every other day, per our pediatrician's recommendation. Our daughter started at about four months with all her issues and takes Miralax. She has been taking that since about five months old (she is 3 years).
I am sure your pediatrician will have some good suggestions and in the meantime I will add Jonah to my list of poopers that I pray for daily!

Anonymous said...

Girl I have totally prayed for poop before! I think every Mom out there probably has!! =) I've prayed for it to come and I've also prayed for it to stop!! ;) It's so frustrating and you wonder what's going on, but it can be a very normal thing, so try not to worry (yes, I"m preaching to the choir). We will pray for poop with you. God hears our prayers!
That little man is just so sweet!
prayers,
Daisy (alabama)

RLR said...

Totally OK to pray for poop! I have one that's prone to constipation, so I have been there before!
Praying...

Sarah said...

As my daughter's pediatrician says, with a breastfed baby they can poop seven times a day, or once every seven days, and it's all normal. ;) That said, I don't know if EB or the addition of the soy supplement or the iron complicates that. I had to be on iron supplements because of blood loss during my last birth and they sure do cause constipation, hoo boy!

Cheryl said...

It could be the extra iron in the formula (if this was mentioned before, I apologize...I skim.. :-)) Good luck. {{hugs}}

Liz said...

I know what you mean by praying for poop. My daughter (now 11 months) had and still has some pooping issues. For the first 5 months she was solely breastfed and I thought breastfed babaies pooped a lot more and more loosely, as my first son was a poop machine. Well the first 2 weeks she pooped fine, after that it would be 10 days in between poops. She did this for almost 3 months. I was always scared, but the doctor was not. I'm not sure what Jonah can take that will not hurt his tummy, but the doctor did give me a prescription of a high concentration of a corn syrupy mixture. We were also told that we could stimulate her to help her poop, but it wasn't necessary. The doctor said she would work things out as she got older. Finally she started pooping about once every 4 days, now it is at least every other day to once a day and she is 11 months old.

We are keeping Jonah in our prayers for his new sores as well as his poop.

Lynnette said...

I have a daughter with constipation issues that we can't seem to get resolved. I've been praying for poop for the last 2 years (NOT meaning it's been that long since she went!). So, yes, I have prayed for poop. And it would be a welcome change to pray for someone else's other than hers! ;)

rameelin said...

Both of my babes were breastfed and at about 5-6 weeks started pooping only every couple of days. Dr. said it was normal! I couldnt believe that! Anyway, still praying and thankful that you are so specific with your needs/request for Jonah! He looks great!!!

Jennifer said...

common for breastfeed babies not to poop. I breastfeed 4 babies and they all went through this.....sometimes for 5 days:0 but he will have blowout diapers to make up for it...so don't worry!!

once he is feed by a spoon start working in prunes w/ oatmeal(not rice) and he will start a daily routine w/ pooping as he gets older.

Blessing
Jennifer

Radar's Mom said...

I also have an angel care monitor, but I rarely use it because I do another giant no no.. I sleep with mine in the bed! As for constipation, I know that as babies start maturing, they don't poop as often. I'm not sure if it's any different for Jonah because of his EB, but my little one (who just turned 4 months) used to poop 5 or 6 times a day. Now he skips days and when it comes, it comes with a rocket lift off! That being said, I certainly have prayed for poop, because I hate to see him grunting and wriggling with the urge to go. I hope that doctor gives you some reassurances that things are ok and I hope that today brings a diaper or two filled with poo!

SweetP said...

I'll be praying for a blow out! My daughter (although she doesn't have EB) is breastfed and we had a few times where she would go a week without a BM. We would try water if she started getting cranky, but otherwise we would just hope and pray that the next diaper would be "it."

Oh, and just to let you know, even though we don't have the EB to contend with, she has a bad case of acid reflux and can easily sweat and spike a fever if she if too bundled up, so she sleeps on her side with blankets very similar to how you have Jonah snuggled in for the night. I'll also be praying for continued sweet dreams and easy night for you all!

Notinteresting said...

You are doing such a good job looking after your little boy!

I think several others have mentioned the iron supplements. I know in adults that iron can cause constipation, so it may do the same in children. Maybe you could ask your doctor about doing the iron less - like every other day.

Miralax is a good suggestion because it doesn't require you to insert anything. I've used BabyLax syringes (filled with glycerin) on my toddler son to much success, it just depends on what is baby for your son.

Hope this helps!

Above Rubies said...

We are praying for Jonah and his bowels to move!
If he doesn't seem too uncomfortable, I would not worry about him not going for a few days. I have breastfed all 4 of my little ones. Some have gone as long as 6 days wothout any dirty diapers. By that time, they start to seem uncomfortable and "gasy". I have used supossitories before but our new pediatrician just recommends giving a baby as young as Jonah a bottle of water, some extra fluid intake to help move things through. Also, he suggests using a q-tip covered in vaseline to stimulate the anal area, without actually inserting the q-tip.
We'll keep praying!
Aimee D.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry too much about the poop...breastfed babies don't always poop everyday or feeding. You'll know when he is constipated. Also, since he is breastfed your diet could play a roll in his bowel movements. Seeing that they "eat" the same food we eat...sometimes food takes longer to digest in our system it is the same for theirs. Good luck and hoping he is pooping in no time!

Lauren Miracle said...

My son was was like that as well. Even when I breast fed, he had trouble going. He was on Similac as well, then we switched to Similac Soy; still he had trouble. We finally switched to Good Start and it helped tremendusly! Good Start is the only brand that we found to have less Iron. But as they get older, they do go #2 less. Landon goes once a day, maybe every other day. Hope that helps!

Love from Lauren in KY.

Elizabeth said...

I love the breathing monitor too...it was the only way I could sleep with a newborn! My pediatrician told me not to worry too much about lack of poop/too much poop with breastmilk...their habits change randomly and often. My son once went about 5-7 days with nothing...then a normal stool (not constipated...which would come out rock hard). So don't worry too much! He went from pooping with every change to once/day to whenever he pleased.

Sarah Barton said...

I will pray for this! As a mother of a SEVERELY constipated/impacted child, I feel for you and Jonah. My four month old has some problems too with this. We try to add in an extra 4 oz of water each day and it helps a good bit. As long as you are aware of it, I'm sure you'll figure out what works for him. Could it be a side effect of a drug? Sometimes I forget to check on that at the onset of getting the prescription, but those side effects do happen sometimes:-)

Still praying for you and your family all the time.

Janel said...

Constipation IS a problem with EB patients - BUT, as most have said, one day of no poo may not be constipation. HOWEVER - if it is constipation it could cause him problems and some tearing when he finally goes if its hard. My 2 go to's for my daughter (non EB) was the Q-tip with a little vasaline - stimulates poop plus lubricates and helps it "slide" out. (ew! - but it does) and we used to put corn syrup (Karo) in her breastmilk bottles or formula bottles and that seemed to help her. I can't remember exactly how much - I THINK it was a tablespoon per 8 oz.

I am so used to praying for poop I didn't even think twice about it when you asked! I pray for poop all the time!!

Good luck - let us know when the poo comes!

Unknown said...

I'm seeing here that several people have already commented this, but did you know that breastfed babies don't necessarily poop every day? I have a friend whose kids would go up to 7 days... so, maybe don't worry about it. I would definitely talk to the doctor, though. Just to be on the safe side.

M J said...

I don't know ANYTHING about EB babies, but I do know that my reflux baby didn't well until she rolled over on her tummy in the middle of the night and slept for 6 whole hours! We were terrified when we woke up and realised how long she'd been asleep, because we thought something was wrong. We had tried literally everything to get her to sleep for more than an hour at a time, and once she rolled over to her tummy that first time,we couldn't stop her from doing so. She is 9 years old now and STILL sleeps on her tummy. Not that I would ever tell you to put Jonah on his tummy, but I understand the SIDS worry! As far as pooping goes, I had one that seemed like she did nothing but poop, and one that would only poop about once a day or so. You will know if they are uncomfortable, so I wouldn't worry too much until Jonah tells you (and he WILL) that his tummy is hurting! :)

Beth said...

Believe it or not, we have prayed for poop many times in our home! :)

Praying for little Jonah!

The Angel monitor sounds great! I'll have to look into it if we have another kiddo!! I am ALWAYS so paranoid when my kids are infants so that would relieve some stress! Thanks for the info!

Anonymous said...

All four of our breastfed babies went well over a week before having a poop. Many many times. Our doctor said it was normal in breastfed babies since they use everything so efficiently. Our oldest once went 19 days! He wasn't constipated at all...constipated usually means dry and hard to move. When they finally did go, there was a huge diaper full and it was runny and pretty rank!

Hopefully that's all it is...since he has formula, it might be a different story.

Michele said...

Oh, do I have a "praying for poop" story!!! Last year, I was having serious constipation that came on very suddenly. Nothin' was happenin'. I prayed and prayed for poop, and couldn't understand why God wasn't answering. After 3 miserable weeks, I went to the dr and long story short, I found out I had Stage III colon cancer at the young age of 36. So in my case, there was a reason God wasn't answering my poop prayers!
So there you have it, a real "praying for poop" story!

Amy said...

Miralax. Can't sat enough about it. You are giving him soy and iron - two things that are horribly constipating. They usually dont recomment Miralax until they are one, but they do make exceptions.
It's the best. Used it myself when I was pregies.
Good luck!

Krystal said...

Yup. I've prayed for poop lots of times. It took us at least a year to "poop train" our son after he could urinate all by himself. He usually was constipated from waiting so long to go. Finally he got things figured out.

Praying for you, for God's hand on all aspects of Jonah's care and your lives.

Anonymous said...

Just another person who couldn't resist reiterating that bf babies can go a week to 10 days without pooping as they get older. I have often wondered if the volume of that poop was worth the time between changes, but then decided to not look a gift horse in the mouth! As long as he seems comfy, I'm sure they'll tell you he is just fine. Again, as long as there isn't an EB associated issue that I'm not aware of.

Stacy K. said...

Praying for you. These pictures are just beautiful and I'm glad the prayer for Jonah's poo was answered.

C said...

I too have the angel care monitor -- definitely the only way I can sleep at night!:)
I admit, I'd be worried about all those blankets with him too, but you have to do what you have to do to keep him warm and comfortable -- that monitor gives me peace of mind for my baby and yours:)

Amber Schmidt said...

First off... YAY for the blisters receding! He is beautiful either way but I know that he probably feels better when he is without them.

You have NO idea how much one can pray for poop! Our daughter was born with no anus and required three surgeries to correct the issue. Most IA (imperforate anus) kids end up having life long issues with colonic motility and poop is a common topic of conversation in our house. Of course then there is also, enemas and senna and all that jazz so... we are not the average "poopy" family.

about the SIDS thing. Its like this... you do what you have to do. If there is anything I have learned through our journey with Ky (our IA, VACTERL kid), through 15 surgeries, 2 open hearts, a year's worth of days in teh hospital, if she is going to GO home... there is not a daggone thing I can do about it. We all have numbered days and sleeping on the back, the tummy, the side, whatever... is not going to make a bit of difference just like my pacing the waiting room of the OR is not going to save my daughter when she crashes. Yes, it is probably better to eat all organic and always use natural cleaners but that is not going to stop me from my habitual cloroxing of hospital rooms and lysoling Ky's bed everyday. You do what you have to do and know that God gave Jonah to you because HE KNEW that you were the perfect parents for him!

Hugs and prayers

Dan and Sarah said...

yes the angel care monitor RULES!!!

Anonymous said...

Please don't ever use the Karo Syrup with a child under 1, it can contain spores of bacteria. I've used the rectal thermometer with a little vaseline, it worked very well. I would venture to guess it's the iron that is binding him up.

Feel better little man!

myrmaiden said...

for peace of mind when baby sleeps so mom can sleep, get an angel bed, available from walmart....best thing ever if you are worried about sids or if your little one has any health problems, speaking from experience. for helping with the poops ask your dr about lactulose or miralax. if you feel their tummy down by their abs you can actually tell if they are constipated or not, and if they don't poop for 3 or 4 days and then they do and its not hard, they are fine and normal. It's all in the consistancy when it finally does come, especially if they have breast milk, but if you add iron, etc, yes keep an eye on it because they constipate easy withh iron, again from experience. Mine is 2 and a half and now I give him part of a Xocai cookie and it keeps him regular without working at it. he is a picky eater so has low iron,and not enough natural fiber going into him.